Principals from Hamilton County’s public schools expressed strong opposition on Wednesday to a bill that would bar children without legal immigration status from attending Tennessee public schools.
The Hamilton County Principals Association, representing principals from 79 schools in the Chattanooga area, criticized Senate Bill 836, which is co-sponsored by Republican Senator Bo Watson. The bill mandates that public schools, including charter and K-12 institutions, verify the immigration status of students. Schools would have the option to charge tuition or deny enrollment to children who cannot prove their legal immigration status.
“Our schools are not just places of learning; they are the heart of our communities. They reflect our shared values of inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for everyone,” said a statement from the principals’ association. “Denying these rights goes against our professional ethics and moral responsibilities. It also goes against legal precedent rooted in the U.S. Constitution,” the statement continued, citing the 14th Amendment and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plyler v. Doe.
Watson and House Leader William Lamberth, co-sponsors of the bill, have said they hope the measure will be challenged in court. Their goal is to overturn the 1982 Plyler v. Doe decision, which guarantees all children, regardless of immigration status, equal access to public education. The sponsors also argue that the bill aims to address the rising costs of English-language programs in schools, although they acknowledged that there is currently no reliable way to determine the immigration status of students receiving these services.
The two versions of the bill differ in one significant way: the House version makes it optional to check immigration status, while the Senate version requires it across Tennessee’s more than 1,700 public schools and charter schools. Both bills give schools the power to charge tuition or prevent enrollment.
The bill has faced criticism from several groups. More than two dozen small business owners in Watson’s district, represented by the Tennessee Small Business Alliance, called the measure “economically reckless.” On Monday, over 240 Tennessee faith leaders signed an open letter to state lawmakers, condemning the bill as “cruel” and contrary to their religious values.
In Montgomery County, a group of residents filed a complaint against Republican Representative Aron Maberry with the Tennessee Ethics Commission, alleging that his support for the bill violated the School Board Code of Ethics, which mandates equal education opportunities for all students.
While the bill has garnered majority support from Tennessee Republicans, it has not been universally endorsed. The bill narrowly passed a House Committee earlier this week. Republican Representative Jeremy Faison of Cosby voted against it, noting that no one in his district had asked him to support the measure.
